TONBRIDGE ANGELS (AWAY) – MATCH PREVIEW

by John Mead

Last Season’s sixteenth placed Club form the opposition for Ian Allinson’s men in the Season’s long awaited opener.    It will be a tough one to call with the sides sharing the spoils last Season.    Both encounters between the relative Skrill Conference South newcomers ended in 4 – 2 victories for the home sides.

Our trip to Longmead Stadium last September was memorable for the fact that we found ourselves two goals down inside seven minutes. It was a rare off day for the normally stoic Wood defence and casting the score line aside Ian Allinson cited the afternoon as “Our best attacking performance,” an accolade he refused to relinquish until way into the New Year!

“Tommy (Warrilow) has made some decent signings and likes his team to play football the correct way so it will be an open and entertaining encounter,” added Allinson.

Amongst the close Season captures for the Kent side who embark upon their third Season at this level are giant goalkeeper Clark Masters, who signed from Havant & Waterlooville, holding player Philip Appiah, who joined from Eastleigh and Carshalton Athletic’s Nathaniel Pinney who hit the back of the net on twenty-two occasions last campaign.

Wood will be at full strength excepting the absence of Mark Bentley who starts a three match suspension.    They will be full of confidence after the 0 – 4 win at Potters Bar Town.    It was an important end to the Pre-Season in more ways than one according to Allinson.    “It was the kind of test we needed after playing all those full time Clubs.    They gave us a hard time for an hour before we took control.    What was particularly pleasing was how Matty Whichelow fitted into our set-up in his first start for us.    He is a superb signing and my thanks go to the Chairman for making it happen.”

Looking ahead to Saturday the Wood Boss was keeping his cards close to his chest.    “I know what the starting line-up will be as long as we come through our last training sessions unscathed.    We will need to be at our best as we found out last Season.    On their day Tonbridge Angels are capable of beating any side in this Division.”

Saturday 17 August 2013, Kick Off: 3.00pm.

Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge. TN10 3JF.